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The Lemington Bond Munitions Works was located on what became known as ‘Canary Island’ during World War One.

It acquired the name for two reasons: it was built on what had been an island on the Tyne and the skin and hair of the women who worked there went yellow because of the chemicals they were using. They were known locally as the Lemington Canaries.

It was part of the Armstrong Whitworth empire, and was located on Lemington Point.

In Victorian times it was an island on the Tyne, but to prevent silting one part of the river bend had been filled in and the Lemington Gut was formed. This provided deeper water for the staithes at the end of the Wylam wagonway.

A bridge across the gut allowed workers to access the site and its likely most of the munitions were moved by barges.

The land was reclaimed after World War Two and the gut drained. It’s now used as an industrial site.

Location: Montague Street, Lemington, Newcastle upon Tyne NE15 8RX
Image: Lemington Canaries

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